CBS In Philly Launches Red Cross Fundraiser

The CBS Local Media stations in Philadelphia — KYW-TV-AM, WPSG-TV WOGL-FM, WIP-AM-FM, WPHT-AM, CBSPhilly.com and CBS Outdoor — are teaming up once again under the “Operation Brotherly Love” banner to use their combined voices to raise funds for the American Red Cross relief effort in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

Volunteers and on-air personalities from the stations, the American Red Cross and Brotherly Love campaign partner Wawa will staff a phone bank today, Nov. 2, from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the top of every hour and in news segments on KYW-TV and WPSG-TV to take pledges for the American Red Cross Hurricane Sandy Response Fund.

To contribute, viewers can call 1-877-KYW3-ASK (1-877-599-3275) or donate $10 to the cause by texting REDCROSS to 90999. Additionally, CBS Outdoor will provide digital billboards to reinforce the messaging throughout the area. Details on how to donate can also be accessed on-line at www.cbsphilly.com.

Leading the effort will be on-air personalities Susan Barnett, Chris May, Pat Ciarrocchi, Ukee Washington and Erika von Tiehl from KYW-TV and WPSG-TV. CBS Radio personalities appearing on air include: WOGL’s Breakfast Club team of Ross Brittain and Valerie Knight; WIP’s Angelo Cataldi, Anthony Gargano, Glen Macnow and Ike Reese; and WPHT’s Buzz Bissinger, Dom Giordano and Chris Stigall.

“Our heart goes out to the devastated shore points and other areas beyond where individuals are dealing with lost homes, businesses, power outages, and much more,” says KYW-WPSG President-GM Jon Hitchcock. “Viewers in our market are always so quick to respond to others in need and now some of those very same people are the ones who need help.”

Marc Rayfield, SVP and market manager for the CBS Radio Stations in Philadelphia, added: “This one literally hits close to home for all of us and the CBS Radio stations are committed to lending our support in the wake of the devastation to beachside communities and other parts of our landscape where many of us have memories that are so tightly woven.”

KYW and its sister stations created Operation Brotherly Love in 2001 as a way to mobilize the Delaware Valley’s response to the 9/11 disaster.  Under that same banner, the stations later raised $300,000 for Tsunami victims and more than a $1 million plus for Katrina victims in 2005 and just shy of $1 million for Haitian Earthquake victims in 2010.